the Hephaestus convex mirror

In Mirrors by Mark Evans

The Hephaestus convex mirror is a rich combination of gold/bronze tinted Venetian glass rods, gold leaf and a generous scattering of pyrite spheres and cabochons. I like the combination of transparency and flash with an earthy element.

The Hephaestus convex mirror measures about 16 inches in diameter. It hangs in my studio pending being shipped to one of my showrooms.

Jewelry for Walls!

Hephaestus is the Greek god of blacksmiths, craftsmen, artisans, sculptors, metals, metallurgy, fire and volcanoes. Hephaestus’ Roman equivalent is Vulcan. In Greek mythology, Hephaestus was the son of Zeus and Hera, the king and queen of the gods. As a newborn Hephaestus was rejected by his mother because of his ugliness( unusual among gods!) and thrown out of heaven and down to earth into the ocean. He was raised by Thetis, an ocean nymph. As a youth he discovered an abandoned fire on a beach and became fascinated by what fire could do. That led him to the possibilities of what he could form out of metal. This talent brought him back to Mount Olympus and eventual marriage to the goddess of beauty and love, Aphrodite. Not a happy union….

As a smithing god, Hephaestus made all the weapons of the gods in Olympus. He served as the blacksmith of the gods, and was worshipped in the manufacturing and industrial centers of Greece, particularly Athens. The cult of Hephaestus was based in Lemnos. Hephaestus’ symbols are a smith’s hammer, anvil, and a pair of tongs.

The Forge of Vulcan/Hephaestus by Diego Velazquez, 1630
A Roman relief of Hephaestus, 6th century BC.
Athenian red figure vase detail of Hephaestus and Thetis preparing the shield for Achilles. 5th century BC